Folding table and seat assembly



Oct 6, 1956 J. J. SCHRADER 2,766,812

FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 26, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l 30 24 20 Fig.2

I2 J /8 UL" U A5 /6 o) 3 nd or J 4) Jul/us J. Schrader I I INVENTOR. F 1 Q Oct. 16, 1956 J. SCHRADER 2,766,812

FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l4 7 Fig. 4

O I 31 54 34 32 38 2 5g u u u v Fig.5

Jul/us J. Schmoer 32 IN VEN TOR.

Oct. 16, 1956 J. .1. SCHRADER 2,766,812

FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 26, 1954 s Shets-Sheet 3 32 46 i Jul/us Schraaer 48 7W INVENTOR. 56 50 54 5a United States Patent FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLY Julius J. Schrader, Hoisington, Kans.

Application August 26, 1954, Serial No. 452,277

4 Claims. (Cl. 155-124) This invention relates to a folding picnic table and more specifically provides a foldable table and seat assembly wherein the table and the seats are so interconnected as to be compactly folded into a relatively small package.

An object of this invention is to provide a folding picnic table including a table top and seats arranged alongside, wherein the device is positively locked in extended position and in folded condition wherein the picnic table may be easily carried to a desired location and quickly and easily set up for operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a picnic table of the average dinner table size wherein persons may be seated at the table without encountering obstructions and the table may be 'only partially unfolded or completely unfolded, as desired, thereby providing a versatile type of folding picnic table.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a folding picnic table that will provide a table space for a plurality of persons and yet be folded into a compact condition for easy carrying wherein the device is especially useful for tourists or vacationers as the same may be reduced in size for enabling it to be stored within the trunk of an automobile and readily set up for use when desired.

Still other important features of the present invention include its simplicity of construction, sturdiness in unfolded position, its adaptation for many and varied purposes, and its relatively inexpensive manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which willbecome subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the folding table of the present invention in extended or unfolded position;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view showing the relation between the table top, seat members and the folding supports for each of the components of the invention;

7 Figure 3 is an end view showing the picnic table of the present invention in folded position;

1 Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the first step in unfolding the table, wherein the table tops are positioned in longitudinal alignment and the supporting leg's folded downwardly therefrom;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view showing the construction of Figure 4 wherein the seats are still in unfolded position;

Figure 6'is a side elevational view of the structure of Figure '3 wherein the table is in its completely folded position;

Figure 7 is a transverse, bottom plan view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 77 of Figure 4 showing the details of construction of the latch means for the table legs and the catch for retaining the seats in folded position;

Figure 8 is a detailed view showing the table leg locking means in locking position;

Figure 9 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 9-9 of Figure 7 showing further structural details of the leg locking means for the table and seat; and

Figure 10 is a detailed transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially along a plane passing along section line 1010 of Figure 7 showing the details of construction of the latch for retaining the seat in collapsed position under the table top.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the folding picnic table 'of the present invention including a pair of table top members 12 and 14 hingedly secured together in end-to-end relation by a hinge pin 16 that interconnects downwardly angulated lugs 18 secured to each of the table top members 12 and 14 wherein the table top members 12 and 14 will be positioned in spaced parallel positions when in their collapsed position, substantially as illustrated in Figure 3.

Positioned at each end of each table top member 12 and 14 is an inverted U-shaped member 20 having a smaller inverted U-shaped member 22 nested therein wherein the depending legs of the U-shaped members 20 and 22 form spaced legs for pivotally receiving the upper ends 24 of a pair of depending legs 26 that are secured together at their midpoints and extend outwardly at their lower ends, as designated by the numeral 28, for providing a supporting area for the table top members 12 and 14. It will be seen that each end of the table top members 12 and 14 is provided with supporting legs 26 and the outwardly extending portions 28 form an area of support substantially equal to the area of the table top members 12 and 14 and the legs 26 pivot inwardly towards each other about hinge pins 30 wherein the legs 26 will overlie each other in spaced parallel relation.

Each of the table top members 12 and 14 is provided with a pair of seat members 32 that are the same length as the table top members 12 and 14 and having adjoining abutting edges when in the unfolded position. Each of the seat members 32 is provided with a pair of invented U-shaped members 34 and 36 on the undersurface thereof, thereby providing spaced lugs for pivotally securing a U-shaped supporting leg 38 on hinge pin 40. A supporting leg 38 is pivotally secured to each end of each supporting seat 32 and the inner lower corner of each leg 38 is pivotally secured to the outwardly extending portions 28 of the table supporting legs 26 by elongated connecting links 42 wherein the seats 32 may be pivoted and swung upwardly into a position closely adjacent to and underlying the side edges of the table top members 12 and 14. The supporting legs 38, the connecting links 42 and the table supporting legs 26 all piv'ot inwardly simultaneously as the supporting legs 38 and the supporting legs 26 pivot on hinge pins 349 and 40 that are in alignment with each other when the seat members 32 are folded into a position underlying the table top members 12 and 14. A connecting link 44 may interconnect the lower adjoining ends of the table supporting legs 26 for reinforcing the table supporting leg structure, as desired.

Referring now specifically to Figure 10, it will be seen that each table top section, as designated by the numeral 12, is provided with a Z-shaped bracket 46 positioned on the undersurface thereof along the transverse center line, and the Z-shaped bracket is provided with an aperture 48 in the end spaced from the undersurface of the table top 12 for slidably receiving the seat member 32 between the portion of the bracket 46 spaced from the table top 12 and the undersurface of the table top 12.

folded position beneath the table top '12. The outer end of the pivotal'latch 59 is' provided with anenlarged portion 58 for forming a finger engaging portion for releasing the hooked end 56 from the aperture 48, thereby permitting the seat member 32 *to be withdrawn from beneath the undersurface of the table top '12. It will be understood that each of the seat members '32 and table top members 12 and 14; is provided with the interlocking bracket 46 and latch 5-9 for retaining :the seat members 32 in folded positionbeneath the undersurface of the table tops '12 and 14, thereby securing and positioning the side edges of the table tops 12 and the seat members 32 in coextensive and underlying relation. After the seat members 32 have been positioned in their folded positions, the leg members 38' and the leg members 26 may be pivoted inwardly to position substantially as shown in Figures 3 and 6, wherein all of the leg members 38 and 26 and all of the table top members are positioned in overlying parallel relation; 7

In order to secure the table supporting legs 26 and the seat supporting legs 38 in extended position in perpendic- I ular relation to the table top surfaces 12 and 14 and the seats 32, respectively, automatic locking means is pro vided which will lock the legs in perpendicular relation when the seats 32 are withdrawn from under the table top surfaces 12 and 14 and the locking means will be automatically disengaged when the seats 32 are folded to their retracted position, thereby permitting easy folding of the supporting legs 26 and 38, The locking means is provided at each end of each seat 32 and each table top surface 12 and 14, and for the purposesof explanation, a single locking means will be described, with the understanding that a similarlock is provided at each end of each seat 32 and table top surface 12 and 14.

Referring specifically to Figures 7, 8 and 9, it will be seen that each of the depending legs of the U-shaped brackets 26 and 22 on the table top 12 and the U-shaped brackets 34 and 36 on the seats 32 are provided with aligned ,aperturesfit) and 62 with the apertures on the inner U-shaped members 22 and 36, respectively, being communicates therewith. A pivotal member 66 is secured to the undersurface of the table top 12 by pivot pins 68 and the outer end of the pivot member 66 is provided with a tapered pointed projection 79 which is substantially the same shape as the apertures 69 in the depending lugs 26 and 22 andtlie aperture 64 in the leg 26 for en gagernent therewith'for locking the leg 26 in perpendicular relation to the table top surface 12. A tension coil spring 72 is provided between the pivot member66 and the table top surface 1.2 for continuously urging the projection '75) into the apertures 66. T he outer end of the pivot them-- ber 66 is provided with a projecting portion 74 which is in spaced relation to the undersurface of the table top 12 for receiving the inner edge of the seat 32 and this offset portion 74 is provided with a depending abutment 76 for engagement by a depending abutment 78 on a sliding bracket 80 having a pair of longitudinal apertures 82 therein for receiving fastening means 84. The

sliding bracket 80 is provided with a pair of projecting lugs 86 having extending tapered projections 88 thereon for engagement with the apertures 62 in the -U-shaped members 34 and 36 and engagement with the aperture 64 in the upper end of the legs 38. A tension spring 90 is secured at one end to a bracket 92 on the undersurface of the seat 32, and at its other end to a projecting lug 94 on the sliding bracket 80, thereby continuously urging the bracket towards the' inner edge of the seat 32 and continuously urging the tapered projections 88 into engagement With the apertures 62 in the U-shaped members 34 n 6 n he perture 64 in t e uppe en f he leg 38. The abutments '76 and 78 engage each other when the seats 32 are moved into a position-under'the table tops 7 12 thereby urging the projection 7Q out of engagement with the apertures 60 in the U-shaped members 20 and t 22 and the aperture 26 in the table top supporting leg 26 and also retracts the projections 38 on the bracket 80 from engagement with the apertures 62 in the L l -shap ed members 34 and 36 and fromengagement with'theapertures 64 in the upper end' of the U-shaped leg 38, thereby permittingtthe U-shaped legs 38 and the legs 26 to be the table top surfaces '12 and 14 and they will automatical- 1y be urged into engagement when the seat members 32 are retracted from underneath the table top surfaces'12 and 14, after the pivotal catch 50 has beenreleasedj It will be seen that the present invention maybe easily and quickly extended or foldedand provides a tabletop area of adequate size to accommodate several persons and may be quickly collapsed into a relatively compact position for storage in any suitable place, such a s a trunk of an automobile, or the like. Obviously, the device may be constructed of any suitable materials havingthe necessary qualities of lightness, rigidity and strength. unique locking means for retaining-the table of the present invention in extended position provides a sturdy andrig'id table structure for providing a secure support for articles placed thereon, and the seats 32 forma secure and-rigid support for persons employing the table.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understoodandfurtherexplanation is believed to be unnecessary. Howeverysince numerous modifications and changes will occurto' those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit "the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and -ac-' cordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay that said legs are swingable to a position to-support said top andto a position where they are folded under said 7 top, a pair of seats, seat legs pivotedto saidlseats f0!- movement to a position to support the :seats and :to a

position nested under the seats, .and connecting ilinksi pivoted to said seat legs and the legs of the tabletop-to constrain the seats-to move pivotally frorn a position near to itstop to a position nested thereunder andtorequire the seat legs and table legs when pivotally moved :tobe.

actuated in unison, ,said connecting :links automatically holding said seat legs in the extended position when the seats are pivoted away from their ,table'topL T '2. The folding table of claim '1 wherein there 231' catches operatively connected with said seats -;and-;sa id table tops in order to hold said seats releasably fastened to their tops when the seats are moved to a superposed position with respect to said tops.

3. The folding table of claim 1 wherein there are means operatively connected with said seat legs and seats to automatically lock said seat legs in the extended position when said seats are withdrawn from beneath said table tops.

4. The folding table of claim 1 wherein there are means operatively connected with said seat legs and seats to automatically lock said seat legs in the extended position when said seats are withdrawn from beneath said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Des. 152,784 Higgins Feb. 22, 1949 1,594,527 Soltesz Aug. 3, 1926 1,657,307 Hisey et al Jan. 24, 1928 2,690,210 Holick Sept. 28, 1954 

